Bed and cylinder traveling roller sequential printer



1965 o. c. MOIQTGOMERY 3,21

BED AND CYLINDER TRAVELING ROLLER SEQUENTIAL PRINTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 28, 1963 INVENTOR O. C MONTGOMERY A T TORNEVS N 1965 o. c. MONTGOMERY 3,215, 6

BED AND CYLINDER TRAVELING ROLLER SEQUENTIAL PRINTER Filed Feb. 28, 1963 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR O. C. MONTGOM ERY A 7'7'ORNEYS 1965 o. c. MONTGOMERY 3,215,067

BED AND CYLINDER TRAVELING ROLLER SEQUENTIAL PRINTER Filed Feb. 28, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 EY g g g :x 1 1,111 J 58 2 E f 9 1K j I t ill J INVENTOR.

O. C. MON TGOMERY UX WM *Q A TTORNE V5 I 1 III a I United States Patent O BED AND CYLINDER TRAVELING ROLLER SEQUENTIAL PRINTER Orin C. Montgomery, Bartlesville, Okla, assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 28, 1963, Ser. No. 261,664 3 Claims. (Cl. 10191) This invention relates to the printing of information on a plurality of materials in sequence.

In various industrial and commercial operations there is a need to print information on a plurality of materials.

For example, in the seismic exploration field, it is now common practice to record seismic signals on magnetic tapes for subsequent manipulation or storage. Since a large number of records are often obtained in a given area, it is necessary to place appropriate identifying marks on the tapes. One way of accomplishing this has been to provide the tapes with blank spaces and to write in these spaces with pen and ink. Although such a procedure accomplishes the desired result, it requires a substantial amount of time when a large number of tapes are being handled.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a machine which is capable of printing selected information on a number of materials in a relatively short time. This machine includes a rotatable turret which is adapted to have tapes or other materials mounted thereon. Suitable printing heads are attached to a frame which is positioned adjacent the turret so that rotation of the turret places the tapes adjacent the printing heads in sequence. An inking roller is first moved along the printing heads. The turret is then rotated so that one of the tapes is positioned adjacent the printing heads. A second roller then moves this tape into engagement with the printing heads to complete the printing operation. The tapes can be mounted on the turret in such a manner as to be released automatically after the printing operation is completed. By providing the turret with a plurality of frames to hold individual tapes, an operator is afforded sufficient time to place tapes on the turret durdrawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, shown partially in section, of the printing machine of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the machine of FIGURE 1 showing certain features of the driving mechanism in detail.

FIGURE 3 is a schematic circuit drawing of the electrical components of the machine.

FIGURE 4 illustrates switch actuating cams mounted on one of the end plates of the rotatable turret of the machine.

FIGURE 5 is a schematic representation of certain switches which are actuated by the cams of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 illustrates the pin mounting assembly which secures one end of a tape to the rotatable turret.

Referring now to the drawing in detail and to FIG- URES 1 and 2 in particular, there is shown a frame assembly 10 which mounts a rotatable turret 11. Turret 11 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending frames which support individual tapes to be printed.

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Each of these frames comprises two spaced bars, such as 12a and 12b. A short center bar extends inwardly a sufiicient distance from one end of turret 11 to support a stationary pin 12d. This pin engages a hole in one end of a tape 13 which rests on bars 12a and 12b. Rods, such as 14a, extend from the other end of turret 11 to support the second ends of the tapes. As shown in detail in FIGURE 6, the hollow extension 14b is secured to the end of rod 14a. A piston 14e is disposed within extension 14d, and is biased away from rod 14a by a spring 14 A pin is secured to piston He and extends through an opening in the end of extension 14d. A pin 14b extends from pin 14c through a slot, not shown, in the side of extension 14d. A second pin 140 is secured to pin 14b and extends axially beyond rod 14a. In order to mount a tape on the turret, pin 140 is pushed inwardly by an operator to move pin 14b toward the opposite end of the turret. The tape is then mounted on the frame by inserting the pins on the two ends of the frame into the corresponding holes in the ends of the tape. The force on pin 140 is then released and spring 14) moves pin 14b outwardly to maintain the tape under tension.

As illustrated in FIGURE 1, each tape 13 is provided with a plurality of blank spaces 16 in the center thereof. These spaces are formed of a material which .is adapted to receive ink. The function of the printing machine is to mark certain information on these blank spaces to permit the tapes to be identified. This is accomplished by means of a plurality of marking heads which are positioned in a channel 17 on the top of the stationary frame assembly. One such marking head 18 is shown positioned inside channel 17. This marking head can be a conventional adjustable rubber stamp, for example. The operator positions the desired number of marking heads in channel 17 and adjusts each marking head so that the proper letters or figures appear at the bottom of the marking heads. Channel 17 is provided with a central opening so that the tapes can be moved into engagement with the marking heads.

As previously mentioned, turret 11 is secured to frame 10 in a rotatable manner. The first end of the turret is attached by means of a shaft 20 which extends from the frame assembly through the end of the turret and is received by a bearing assembly 21. The second end plate 22 of turret 11 has a central opening 28. A .track 25 is secured at its outer end to a vertical plate 251: of

frame 10 and extends therefrom through the opening 28 in end plate 22. Plate 22 is mounted for rotation on frame 10 by means of a plurality of roller hearing assemblies 24, see FIGURE 2, which extends between plate .22 and frame 10. A roller and printing assembly 23 is secured to track 25. Assembly 23 comprises an inking roller 26' and a printing roller. 27. Roller 26 normally is retained in an upward position by a spring 28 which extends between a solenoid 29 and a pin 30 that is mounted on the roller shaft 31. Roller 27 is likewise biased in an upward position by a spring 32 which extends between a solenoid 33 and a pin 34. Assembly 23 moves back and forth on track 25 by means of a chain 36 which extends about a guide sprocket 37. Chain 36 is driven at the other end by the mechanism described hereinafter.

The printing machine is actuated by a motor 40 which is mounted on frame assembly 10, see FIGURE 2. A drive belt 41 extends between a pulley 42 'on the drive shaft on motor 40 and a pulley 43 which is mounted on a drive shaft 44. Clutches 45, 46 and 47 serve to connect respective pulleys 48, 49 and 50 to drive shaft 44 when actuated. A belt 51 connects pulley 49 to a pulley 52 which is mounted on a shaft 53. A belt 54 connects pulley 48 to a pulley 55 which is mounted on a shaft 56. Chain 36 extends about a guide pulley 57 which is mounted on a shaft 58. When clutch is actuated, pulley is rotated to drive a sprocket wheel 60. This sprocket wheel in turn drives chain 36 to move assembly 23 of FIGURE 1 toward the right. When clutch 46 is actuated, pulley 52 is rotated to drive a sprocket wheel 62 to move chain 36 in the opposite direction to move assembly 23 to the left.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, a belt 65 connects pulley 50 to a pulley 66. A pulley 67 is mounted on the same shaft with pulley 66 to move a belt 68 which drives a pulley 69. This rotates a shaft 70 to drive a pulley 71. A belt 72 connects pulley 71 to a pulley 73 which is attached to end plate 22 of turret 11. Thus, actuation of clutch 47 serves to rotate turret 11.

The overall operation of the printing machine can now be described. The operator first positions tapes on the frame assemblies. In normal operation, the operator stands on the back side of the machine as illustrated in FIGURE 1. Turret 11 rotates in a clockwise direction, looking from left to right. The turret is first rotated to a position such that a space between adjacent longitudinal frames on the turret is beneath the printing heads. Assembly 23 is then moved to the right with roller 26 extended to apply ink to the printing heads. Solenoid 33 is energized at this time so that only the inking roller engages the printing head. When assembly 23 reaches the end of track 25, a limit switch 75 is engaged to terminate this movement. Turret 11 is then rotated 22 /z so that one of the tapes is centered beneath the printing heads. Assembly 23 is moved back to the left with printing roller 27 extended and inking roller 26 withdrawn. This serves to press the tape into engagement with the printing heads so that the desired information is transferred to the tape from the printing heads. The

movement of assembly 23 is terminated when a second limit switch 76 is engaged. Turret 11 then rotates another 22 /z" and the operation is repeated. When rod 14a, for example, reaches its lowermost position, pin 14c engages a stationary arm 78 which quickly depresses pin 140 to release the tension on the tape. The tape drops from the turret and falls to the table to the position shown by tape 79 in FIGURE 1.

The electrical circuit which controls the printing machine is illustrated schematically in FIGURE 3. This circuit is energized from an alternating current source 80.

The two terminals of current source 80 are connected through ganged switches 81a and 81b to motor 40 and the primary Winding of an isolation transformer 82. The terminals of current source 80 are also connected to respective terminals 83a and 83b. The first terminal of the secondary winding of transformer 82 is connected through a resistor 84 to a switch 85 which normally engages a terminal 86. Terminal 86 is connected to a switch 87- which normally engages a terminal 88. Terminal 88 is connected to a stepping switch 89 which is actuated by a solenoid 90. As illustrated, stepping switch 89 can engage any one of twelve spaced contacts. These contacts are designated by numerals 1 to 4, which repeat three times in the circle. Common switch contacts are connected to one another. Although only four separate contacts are needed, most commercially available stepping switches are provided with larger number of contacts, and this is the reason for the particular circuit illustrated. Contacts 1,2 and 3 are connected through respective diodes 91, 92 and 93 to a switch 94 which normally engages a terminal 95. Terminal 95 is connected through a relay coil 96 to a terminal 97, the latter being connected to the second terminal of the second winding of transformer 82.

Switches 81a and 81b are closed to energize the circuit. This energizes motor 40 and applies current to relay coil 96 when switch 89 engages any one of the first three contacts. As will become evident from the following description, the stepping switch normally stops on contact No. 1. When relay coil 96 is energized, switches 98a and 98b engage respective terminals 83a and 83b to insure that the circuit remains energized through at least one cycle.

The printing operation begins with switch 89 engaging a contact No. 1. Current is transmitted through a diode 100 to the first terminal of printing solenoid 33. The second terminal of solenoid 33 is connected to terminal 97. A capacitor 101 is connected in parallel with solenoid 33. This capacitor, and other capacitors hereinafter mentioned, serve to filter the current rectifier by the associated diodes. Solenoid 33 is energized at this time so that printing roller 27 is withdrawn from contact with turret 11. At the same time, current flows to switch 89 through a diode 102 from the first terminal of a counting solenoid 103'. This solenoid actuates a counter 103 in FIGURE 1 to provide an indication of the number of cycles of operation. The second terminal of solenoid 103 is connected to terminal 97. A capacitor 104 is connected in parallel with solenoid 103'. At this same time, inking clutch 45 is actuated to move assembly 23 to the right to apply ink to printing head 18. Clutch 45 is energized when a coil 45 of the electromagnetic clutch is energized. Current is transmitted from switch 89 through limit switch 75, which initially engages a terminal 105, a diode 106, and a resistor 107 to the first terminal of coil 45. The second terminal of coil 45' is connected to terminal 97. A capacitor 108 is connected between diode 106 and terminal 97. Clutch 45 remains energized until assembly 23 strikes limit switch 75. This moves the switch into engagement with a terminal 109 to deenergize coil 45. Current is then transmitted from switch 75 through a diode 111 to the first terminal of solenoid 90. This energizes the solenoid to move switch 89 to contact No. 2.

At this second position, inking solenoid 29 and printing solenoid 33 are energized so that both of the rollers are withdrawn. The current to energize solenoid 29 is supplied from switch 89 through diodes 112 and 113. A capacitor 114 is connected between diode 113 and terminal 97. Current to energize solenoid 33 is supplied through a diode 115. At position No. 2, current is supplied through diode 112 to a limit switch 116 which initially engages a terminal 119. Limit switch 116 is secured to frame 10 inside turret 11. This switch is actuated by any one of a plurality of cams 117a, 117b 11711 which are secured to the inner face of plate 22, see FIGURES 4 and 5. A second limit switch 118 is also secured to frame 10 adjacent plate 22. These two limit switches control rotation of the turret. Switch 116 initially engages terminal 119 so that current is transmitted through a diode 120 to the first terminal of a solenoid 122, the second terminal of which is connected to terminal 97. A capacitor 123 is connected between diode 120 and terminal 97. Solenoid 122 is illustrated in FIG- URE 1. This solenoid is secured to frame 10 and operates to release a plunger 125. This plunger normally is biased by a spring 126 to engage one of a series of holes 127a, 127b 12712 in plate 22. This plunger is tapered on the end so as to enter one of the holes and retain the turret in a fixed position during the printing operation.' When solenoid 122 is energized, the plunger is withdrawn from a hole in plate 22 so that the turret is free to rotate. Solenoid 122 also controls switches 130 and 131. Switches 130 and 131 engage respective terminals 132 and 133 when solenoid 122 is deenergized, and engage respective terminals 134 and 135 when solenoid 122 is energized. The movement of switch 130 into engagement with terminal 134 by solenoid 122 being energized serves to energize coil 47 which actuates clutch 47. The current to energize coil 47' is transmitted through a diode 136 and a resistor 137. A capacitor 138 is connected between diode 136 and terminal 97. Turret 11 then rotates until switch 118 is moved by a cam 117 into engagement with a terminal 176. This removes current from coil 47. At the same time, current is supplied through diode 111 to energize solenoid 90 once again to move switch 89 into engagement with terminal No. 3. Solenoid 122 is deenergized at the same time to permit plunger 125 to enter one of the locking holes in plate 22. This assures that the turret will be positioned correctly for the printing operation.

The actual printing operation occurs when switch 89 is in engagement with terminal No. 3. Inking solenoid 45' remains energized at this time because switch 75 is in contact with terminal 105. However, there is no current applied to printing solenoid 33 so that roller 27 is spring biased upwardly to press one of the tapes into engagement with printing head 18. Current is supplied from switch 89 through switch 131 and terminal 133 to limit switch 76. This limit switch engages a terminal 145 which is connected through a diode 146 and a resistor 147 to a coil 46' which actuates clutch 46 When energized. This operation moves assembly 23 to the left to actually print the tape. When limit switch 76 is engaged by assembly 23, the switch is moved into engagement with a terminal 149 which deenergizes coil 46' to stop movement of assembly 23. The movement of switch 76 into engagement with terminal 149 also applies current to solenoid 90 to move switch arm 89 into engagement with terminal No. 4.

At position No. 4, current is supplied through a diode 150 to energize inking solenoid 29. Printing solenoid 33 is energized at this time by the flow of current through a diode 151. Solenoid 122 is energized to remove plunger 125 to permit rotation of turret 11. Coil 47 is once again energized to rotate turret 11 another 22 /z to permit printing head 18 to be engaged by inking roller 26. Finally, solenoid 90 is energized once again to move switch 89 to the next contact No. 1.

Both a manual switch 87 and a foot-operated switch 85 are provided to permit the operator to stop the machine at any given time. For example, movement of switch 85 away from terminal 86 and into engagement with terminal 160 removes power from stepping switch 89. Similarly, movement of switch 87 away from terminal 88 to engage a terminal 161 accomplishes the same result. A switch 162 is connected to switch 89. Switch 162 normally is biased open by a spring, but can be moved to engage a terminal 163. When so moved, the machine no longer prints because current is transmitted through a diode 164 to energize printing solenoid 33. Switch 162 can be held in a closed position for several cycles when the machine is first started to apply several coats of ink to the printing head. One additional emergency switch is provided by manually-operated switch 94. When this switch is moved into an engagement with a terminal 165, current is removed from relay 96 by switch 94 being connected through resistor 166 to terminal 97.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with a presently preferred embodiment, it should be evident that it is not limited thereto.

What is claimed is:

1. Printing apparatus comprising:

a stationary frame;

printing means secured to said frame;

a rotatable hollow cylindrical turret formed by two spaced circular end members, one of which has a central opening therein, and a plurality of bars which are secured to said end members and extend therebetween, said bars being spaced from one another so that said bars define a plurality of spaced openings in the surface of the turret, said spaced openings extending parallel to the axis of the turret;

a plurality of material holding means mounted in 6 spaced relationship on said turret so as to hold materials to be printed on the surface of said turret, said holding means being positioned so that materials to be printed extend parallel to the axis of the turret and cover first ones of said spaced openings, there being unobstructed second ones of said spaced openings between adjacent materials; means securing said turret to said frame so that said turret is free to rotate about the axis of said turret; means to rotate said turret about its axis;

a stationary track secured to said frame and extending through said central opening into said turret in a direction parallel to the axis of said turret;

an assembly secured to said track so as to be free to move thereon in directions parallel to the axis of said turret;

means to move said assembly along said track;

an inking roller and a printing roller carried by said assembly so that both of said rollers normally are retained inside said turret;

means to move said inking roller from its normal position so as to extend through one of the second ones of said spaced openings to engage said printing means;

means to move said printing roller from its normal position so as to extend into one of the first ones of said spaced openings to press material covering such opening into engagement with said printing means; and

means to actuate in sequence said means to rotate and said means to move so as to (1) rotate said turret to a first position so that one of the second ones of said spaced openings is adjacent said printing means, (2) move said inking roller through such second one of the spaced openings into engagement with said printing means, (3) move said turret to a second position so that one of the first ones of said spaced openings is adjacent said printing means, (4) move said printing roller into such first one of the spaced openings so as to move material covering such opening into engagement with said printing means, and (5) repeat the foregoing operations a plurality of times so that materials on said turret are printed in sequence.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising locking means to retain said turret at preselected points in its rotation so that materials held on said turret by said holding means are firmly positioned adjacent said printing means during the actual printing operation.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said material holding means comprises a first stationary pin adapted to enter a first hole in the material to be printed, a second pin spaced from said first pin and adapted to enter a second hole in the material to be printed, and biasing means urging said second pin away from said first pin to keep the material under tension; and further comprising means carried by said frame to move said second pin toward said first pin after the material supported thereby has been printed, thereby releasing the tension and removing the material from the pins.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 512,780 1/94 Wesel 101-269 772,632 10/04 Proctor 101269 1,305,778 6/19 Cushing et a1. 101-269 1,962,735 6/34 Ford 10193 WILLIAM B. PENN, Primary Examiner. 

1. PRINTING APPARATUS COMPRISING: A STATIONARY FRAME; PRINTING MEANS SECURED TO SAID FRAME; A ROTATABLE HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL TURRET FORMED BY TWO SPACED CIRCULAR END MEMBERS, ONE OF WHICH HAS A CENTRAL OPENING THEREIN, AND A PLURALITY OF BARS WHICH ARE SECURED TO SAID END MEMBERS AND EXTEND THEREBETWEEN, SAID BARS BEING SPACED FROM ONE ANOTHER SO THAT SAID BARS DEFINE A PLURALITY OF SPACED OPENINGS IN THE SURFACE OF THE TURRET, SAID SPACED OPENINGS EXTENDING PARALLEL TO THE AXIS OF THE TURRET; A PLURALITY OF MATERIAL HOLDING MEANS MOUNTED IN TERIALS TO BE PRINTED ON THE SURFACE OF SAID TURRET SAID HOLDING MEANS BEING POSITIONED SO THAT MATERIALS TO BE PRINTED EXTEND PARALLEL TO THE AXIS OF THE TURRET AND COVER FIRST ONES OF SAID SPACED OPENINGS, THERE BEING UNOBSTRUCTED SECOND ONES OF SAID SPACED OPENINGS BETWEEN ADJACENT MATERIALS; MEANS SECURING SAID TURRET TO SAID FRAME SO THAT SAID TURRET IS FREE TO ROTATE ABOUT THE AXIS OF SAID TURRET; MEANS TO ROTATE SAID TURRET ABOUT ITS AXIS; A STATIONARY TRACK SECURED TO SAID FRAME AND EXTENDING THROUGH SAID CENTRAL OPENING INTO SAID TURRET IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO THE AXIS OF SAID TURRET; AN ASSEMBLY SECURED TO SAID TRACK SO AS TO BE FREE TO MOVE THEREON IN DIRECTIONS PARALLEL TO THE AXIS OF SAID TURRET; MEANS TO MOVE SAID ASSEMBLY ALONG SAID TRACK; AN INKING ROLLER AND A PRINTING ROLLER CARRIED BY SAID ASSEMBLY SO THAT BOTH OF SAID ROLLERS NORMALLY ARE RETAINED INSIDE SAID TURRET; MEANS TO MOVE SAID SINKING ROLLER FROM ITS NORMAL POSITION SO AS TO EXTEND THROUGH ONE OF THE SECOND ONES OF SAID SPACED OPENINGS TO ENGAGE SAID PRINTING MEANS; MEANS TO MOVE SAID PRINTING ROLLER FROM ITS NORMAL POSITION SO AS TO EXTEND INTO ONE OF THE FIRST ONES OF SAID SPACED OPENINGS TO PRESS MATERIAL COVERING SUCH OPENING INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID PRINTING MEANS; AND MEANS TO ACTUATE IN SEQUENCE SAID MEANS TO ROTATE AND SAID MEANS TO MOVE SO AS TO (1) ROTATE SAID TURRET TO A FIRST POSITION SO THAT ONE OF THE SECOND ONES OF SID SPACED OPENINGS IS ADJACENT SAID PRINTING MEANS, (2) MOVE SAID INKING ROLLER THROUGH SUCH SECOND ONE OF THE SPACED OPENINGS INTO ENGAGMENT WITH SAID PRINTING MEANS (3) MOVE SAID TURRET TO A SECOND POSTION SO THAT ONE OF THE FIRST ONES OF SAID SPACED OPENINGS IS ADJACENT SAID PRINTING MEANS, (4) MOVE SAID PRINTING ROLLER INTO SUCH FIRST ONE OF THE SPACED OPENINGS SO AS TO MOVE MATERIAL COVERING SUCH OPENING INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID PRINTING MEANS, AND (5) REPEAT THE FOREGOING OPERATIONS A PLURALITY OF TIMES SO THAT MATERIALS ON SAID TURRET ARE PRINTED IN SEQUENCE. 